Running with the right person can make you faster, happier and more consistent. But how can you find the perfect running buddy? And what are the red flags to look out for? Follow RW's guide to finding the right running pal.
MUST BE...
Punctual
Is there anything more frustrating than arriving at your designated meeting spot only to have to wait around for another 10 minutes for your running partner to arrive? No, there is not. Punctuality is a key quality in a training partner. It says: I'm serious, I'm reliable and I value your time. Tick, tick, tick.
Supportive
A little friendly rivalry is no bad thing, but you want a running partner who is supportive of your goals. Maybe that means understanding if you want to train for a shorter or longer distance. Or someone who's happy to adapt a session if you're feeling injured or under par. When one of you succeeds, the other is delighted for them.
Good fun
No matter how lofty or serious your running goals are, training and racing should be enjoyable. We're not expecting you to be crying with laughter midway through your Yasso 800s session, but being able to laugh together will make the hard yards that bit more bearable. Find someone who understands this.
Of similar ability
While not an essential, running with someone of a similar ability makes things a little easier. That way, you can keep each other honest, run similar paces and sessions, and ultimately enjoy a more shared experience. If you find a running partner who satisfies all the other criteria, but is significantly quicker or slower than you, get creative. Their easy run can be your tempo session, or vice versa.
RED FLAGS...
Overly competitive
Do they have to 'win' training? Are they always 'half-stepping' you on easy runs, staying ever so slightly ahead of you? Have tempo runs morphed into a race to the death? This person is not the one. Find a more sympathetic training partner.
Inability to stick to plan
It's one of the key sessions of your training plan, but they have a better idea. Instead of running 6 x 1 mile in preparation for next month's 10K, how about some hill sprints? Come on, it'll be fun. No, it won't. Hill sprints are never fun, and this type of training partner is a distraction.
Flaky
Yes, you were meant to be meeting tonight, but something's come up at the last minute and, yet again, they can't make it. They're really sorry. How about next week? Actually, how about finding a training partner that isn't as flaky as a snowstorm?
Jealous
Are they furious that you got into London through the ballot and they didn't? When you run well, do they turn greener than those graphene shoes by Inov-8? No one wants the green-eyed monster as a training partner. The people you run with should celebrate your success. If they don't, tell 'em to jog on.
